HMC vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than HMC based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Harvey Mudd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvey Mudd College 8:1; Amherst College 6:1.

HMC vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC or Amherst? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than HMC ($19,049 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 17.6% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($18,390 vs. $22,318).
• Amherst College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than HMC (about $1,867 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,613.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Amherst than at Harvey Mudd College (about $1,867 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,613.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harvey Mudd College than at Amherst College (64% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 48.5% larger than aid received by Harvey Mudd College students ($68,591 vs. $46,199).

HMC vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HMC or Amherst? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Amherst and HMC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is the same as at Amherst (1540).
• Incoming HMC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Amherst).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• HMC has a higher acceptance rate (12.7%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

HMC vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC and Amherst? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Harvey Mudd College's (84%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $12,565 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($12,975 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($134 vs. $264).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.